Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu

Who is Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu?

Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu is an Australian politician. He was elected Country Liberal Party member for Arafura in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly at the 2012 territory election.

Kurrupuwu was born in Nguiu on Bathurst Island, the smaller of the two main Tiwi Islands. He was named Francis Xavier by Sister Anne Gardiner. A staunch Catholic, he has worked with the Church for over thirty years, and is also manager of the Australian Red Cross on the islands. He has also held many local government roles, including President and Deputy Chair of the Nguiu Community Council, a member on the ATSIC regional council, Deputy Chair of the Tiwi Land Council and a councillor in the Tiwi Islands Shire.

Kurrupuwu once stood for Labor preselection, but switched sides to the Country Liberals after losing faith in progressive politics, in particular what he called Labor's "condescending" policies towards Aboriginal people. At the 2012 general election, he defeated former AFL footballer Dean Rioli who was the Labor candidate for Arafura—both men are related to former member and footballer Maurice Rioli.